Graded_Work

Grading Philosophy (Part I): "Benchmark Assessments"

For the 2010-2011 school year, I will be impolementing a new grading system, which I call Benchmark Assessment. I will continue to use the class activities that students are familiar with, but will add regular "benchmark assessments" to the mix. These assessments will form a required foundation for all other graded work. This change will move away from a strict point-based grading system towards a standards-based system. The links below provide a more thorough explanation of the new policies.

• "Big Ideas" Form the Foundation of Passing Grades
• Higher Grades Go Above And Beyond The Benchmarks
• Changing the Conversation

Grading Philosophy (Part II): "Quality Points"

Quality Points can only be earned once all Benchmark Assessments have been passed. Each piece of graded work, whether Test, Project, or Class Assignment, will be marked on a scale from 1-5 quality points. Here is a description of the Quality_Points Standards. The graphic below illustrates the consequences of this system.

As you can see:

• averaging 4 or 5 Quality Points will result in an 'A' on the report card, which is a body of work that we call "Excellent";
• averaging 3 Quality Points will result in a 'B', which is a body of work that we call "Good";
• averaging 1 or 2 Quality Points will result in a 'C', which is a body of work that we call "Average".

1. Class Assignments

Each chapter will see a number of class assignments which will be graded on a 5 point scale (5=Special, 4=Excellent, 3=Good, 2=Average, 1=Passing). These assignments will either be returned through the Hand-in Robot or submitted through Quia. All of these assignments are visible through my iCal subscription, and will account for 10% of the overall grade.

• Many of the Quia exercises are paired with other online resources; for example, you may be asked to answer questions based on an online simulation, or analyze data from an online spreadsheet. You will have multiple attempts to demonstrate mastery, and your best score will be counted toward your grade. Please learn from your mistakes before you take the quiz again! If you don't have a perfect score on your Quia Quizzes into the test, it means you gave up too soon! Earning 4 or 5 quality points requires something more than the basic Quia exercise.
• Many of the Robot assignments offer an opportunity to submit a corrected or improved version. This process is not a path to excellence (4 or 5 quality points), but should ensure that 3 quality points are available to anyone willing to do the work!

2. Tests

Once we have worked through all of the concepts in the chapter, you'll have a chance to put together all of your skills and knowledge in a chapter test. This test will count more than your individual assignments (15% of your total grade), so I encourage you to review all of your Graded Assignments, Benchmark Concepts, and the Daily Archives as you study for the test! Tests are typically hard; however mastering the "Benchmark Assessments" will assure a passing grade for the course. The tests will help me distinguish "Average" (C), "Good" (B), and "Excellent" (A) achievement.

3. Projects

Each marking period will have at least one major project, and these projects will count for 10% of your overall grade. You will be given a month to finish this project, and you will have to give me updates along the way. You will know the grading criteria from the time the project is assigned, so you have a great opportunity to use your creative talents and individual perspectives to earn a great grade!

More on "Benchmark Assessments"

"Big Ideas" Form the Foundation of Passing Grades

These "benchmark assessments" will be based on the "big ideas" of the course, and all students will be held accountable for demonstrating mastery of these ideas. While many details of their school work will undoubtedly fade from memory, the benchmarks will involve the ideas that should stay with them long after the course ends. Because these benchmarks are so important, students will not pass the course until they master the benchmark assessments, and they will get as many chances as they need to demonstrate mastery.
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Higher Grades Go Above And Beyond The Benchmarks

Once a student demonstrates mastery of the benchmarks, s/he is assured of passing the course. All of the other assignments will determine whether s/he earns an "A", a "D", or somewhere in between. If a student masters the benchmark assessments, they are assured of a passing grade. This policy should reassure students who typically struggle in school that they will not fail the course if they persist in learning the most important lessons. Students striving for excellence will still be offered challenging work, and the degree of those challenges can be tailored to match the individual needs of the student.
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Changing the Conversation

My hope is that this benchmark system will change the nature of my conversations with students, so they are not asking me about points, but about solar energy and space travel--not about how to get credit for their work, but how they can grow as a student and prepare themselves for a rewarding and meaningful life.
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